Prosecution seeks to restore death sentence for ex-student who killed pregnant girlfriend

KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution has filed a notice of appeal at the Federal Court to reinstate the death sentence of a former college student who pleaded guilty to murdering and burning his pregnant girlfriend three years ago.

On May 14, the Court of Appeal commuted the death sentence on Fakrul Aiman Sajali, 23, and substituted it with 40 years’ imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane after allowing his appeal.

Lawyer Nor Tamrin, who represents Fakrul, confirmed the matter and said the prosecution’s notice of appeal was filed on May 25.

“Our party has received the notice and my client will not file a cross-appeal against the Court of Appeal’s decision.

“He accepts the decision and considers the judgment to be fair, equitable, and free from any error that requires further challenge,” he said.

He said Fakrul is serving his sentence at Kajang prison.

The prosecution is appealing against the entire decision of the three-judge panel of the Court of Appeal, consisting of Justices Azman Abdullah, Ahmad Kamal Shahid and Radzi Harun, which substituted Fakrul’s death sentence with a 40-year prison sentence from the date of hus arrest in May 23, 2023, and 12 strokes of the cane.

The Klang High Court had sentenced Fakrul, to death on Oct 15, 2025, after he pleaded guilty to murdering Nur Anisah Abdul Wahab, 21, at Jalan Sungai Limau, Sabak Bernam, between 8.30pm on May 22, 2023 and 8am the next day.

The charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code carries a death sentence or a minimum of 30 years’ imprisonment and a maximum of 40 years. If an offender is not sentenced to death, he shall be subject to whipping of not less than 12 strokes.